Williams named 'Nurse of the Year' at Park Ridge Health

Published: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 7:50 p.m.

Debra Williams, M.S.N., R.N.-B.C., has been named “Nurse of the Year” for Park Ridge Health.

This award is given annually to a nurse at the hospital who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure patients receive world-class care, demonstrates professional excellence, and displays selfless service to both patients and team members, officials said in a news release Monday.

Each year, the nurse of the year is selected from among four recipients of the “Nursing Excellence Award,” which is given once each quarter.

Williams has practiced as a nurse since 1980, and has served at Park Ridge Health as a clinical educator since 2001. Her diverse career background includes experience in medical-surgical, neuro-surgical, ICU, CCU and medical step down units.

Williams has also worked in the field of home health, and served as an inservice education director for a 40-bed hospital. She has maintained a certification in Nursing Professional Development since 2006.

She is actively involved in the Carolinas Society for Healthcare Education and Training, where she has served in the past as board member, secretary, president-elect and president, and currently serves as immediate past president.

“As a clinical educator, Debra has dedicated her career to educating nurses,” Craig Lindsey, R.N., M.B.A., M.H.A., C.E.N.P., vice president of Clinical Services at Park Ridge Health, said in the release.

“She constantly evaluates nursing practice trends and developments in order to ensure that Park Ridge Health's nurses are providing care at the highest level of quality possible.”

<p>Debra Williams, M.S.N., R.N.-B.C., has been named “Nurse of the Year” for Park Ridge Health. </p><p>This award is given annually to a nurse at the hospital who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure patients receive world-class care, demonstrates professional excellence, and displays selfless service to both patients and team members, officials said in a news release Monday.</p><p>Each year, the nurse of the year is selected from among four recipients of the “Nursing Excellence Award,” which is given once each quarter. </p><p>Williams has practiced as a nurse since 1980, and has served at Park Ridge Health as a clinical educator since 2001. Her diverse career background includes experience in medical-surgical, neuro-surgical, ICU, CCU and medical step down units. </p><p>Williams has also worked in the field of home health, and served as an inservice education director for a 40-bed hospital. She has maintained a certification in Nursing Professional Development since 2006. </p><p>She is actively involved in the Carolinas Society for Healthcare Education and Training, where she has served in the past as board member, secretary, president-elect and president, and currently serves as immediate past president.</p><p>“As a clinical educator, Debra has dedicated her career to educating nurses,” Craig Lindsey, R.N., M.B.A., M.H.A., C.E.N.P., vice president of Clinical Services at Park Ridge Health, said in the release.</p><p>“She constantly evaluates nursing practice trends and developments in order to ensure that Park Ridge Health's nurses are providing care at the highest level of quality possible.”</p>